Archive for the Invisalign Category

It’s not just the fear of looking like a nerd that puts adults off wearing braces, it’s also the thought of all that extra hassle that comes with wearing a device in the mouth for months on end.

Perhaps teens have time to sit around and pick their last meal out from between the brackets and wires of their braces, but most adults are on the go all day, rushing from task to task and eating is just one more task that needs to be got through before moving onto the next one. They literally don’t have time to take care of their braces, and if you don’t take care of them, you can get into all sorts of trouble with tooth decay and brown patches developing under the braces.

Easy eating

Invisalign renders all of these worries obsolete because you take them out when you eat. You put them in their storage case and then go eat whatever you fancy. No food is off limits for the duration of your treatment, as is often the case with traditional braces.

Once you have finished your meal, you brush your teeth to remove any trapped food and put your aligners back in. It’s that simple.

You also need to remove your aligners if you are drinking anything other than plain water because traces of pigment can discolour your aligners and make them visible over your teeth.

Invisible?

Did we not mention that Invisalign aligners from us at The Old Windsor Dental Practice in Berkshire are invisible? Well, they are. They are made of clear plastic that is only 0.3mm thick. Once you put it on over your teeth, your aligner can no longer be seen.

So not only can you eat whatever you want, you can go through your busy day without having to fend off stares and intrusive comments about your straightening treatment.

Want to find out more?

Invisalign is great for mild to moderate alignment issues. It takes a year, on average, to correct them. Why not come in for a free consultation to find out if they are right for you?

Thinking about what to get yourself for Christmas? How about investing in lovely straight teeth using a system that is hassle-free and easy to use?

Why get your teeth straightened

At The Old Windsor Dental Practice, we regularly see what a difference having straight teeth can make to people’s oral health. We also see what happens to teeth that aren’t straight as the years roll by. Not having straight teeth may not seem like a problem in your early adulthood but as time marches on and plaque repeatedly builds up and is removed from crevices between wonky teeth, you may find that you become more prone to decay and gum disease.

If your misalignments also mean that you put most of your chewing pressure onto just a few teeth, then as you get older, they can start to crumble away through overuse, and then you are faced with a whole new ball game, that of dentures, bridges and dental implants.

You can greatly increase your chances of hanging onto your teeth for life when you have straight teeth.

Want straight teeth, but not braces?

Maybe one reason you have not done anything about getting your teeth straightened is that you don’t want to have to go through months of embarrassment from wearing ugly metal braces as an adult. Well, with us you don’t have to because we can offer you Invisalign, invisible straightening for mild to moderate misalignment issues.

Invisalign does not use brackets and wires. Instead you receive a series of very thin, clear plastic aligners that look like mouth guards. Each one has carefully placed pressure points inside it that press on your teeth. You start with aligner #1 and wear it until the pressure wears off, which takes about 10 days. You put in aligner #2 and so on until you have worked through the whole series.

Invisalign aligners can’t be seen once they are on your teeth, plus you take them out for eating and cleaning, which gets rid of a lot of the hassle associated with wearing braces. Come in and find out if Invisalign will work for you.

When confronted with the annoyance of crooked or misaligned teeth, sometimes the thought of wearing unsightly metal braces is even more unappealing. If you feel like you have lost the confidence to laugh and smile in public, you don’t have to let it carry on by ignoring the solutions. Having wonky teeth can have a negative impact on both your self-esteem and oral health. By going on without treatment, there is a chance that complications such as tooth decay and gum disease can occur.

If you are seeking teeth-straightening treatments that are a discreet and comfortable alternative to traditional metal tracks, then it might be worth considering invisible braces in Berkshire. These invisible braces can be just as effective, and in some cases, take less time than traditional braces.

Tackling the traditional tracks

At Old Windsor Dental Practice, one of the discreet teeth-straightening treatments we offer is Invisalign. This is a treatment which involves a series of clear aligners that are custom made to shift your teeth to their desired positions over time. In using 3D advanced technology, we are able to project the images of your future teeth so that you can see your perfect smile before treatment begins. These aligners serve as a flexible alternative to fixed braces and they are ideal for adults who wish to be subtle about their treatment. Invisalign is convenient, as you can remove the aligner before you eat, drink or brush your teeth. For them to be effective, the aligners must be worn at all other times.

Just when you think that one invisible alternative to traditional braces was enough, there is another flexible treatment ready and waiting to give you your desired smile. Lingual braces are wires that arc around the backs of the teeth, so they are actually unseen by anyone during your treatment. They work to straighten your teeth over time, meaning you can be confident in your journey towards your straight and happy grin.

Although treatment can cause a little discomfort, it will only be temporary. You can find comfort in knowing that you are on your way to showing a smile you aren’t afraid of, one that restores your self-esteem.

If watch TV, it won’t have escaped your notice how many people have beautifully straight white teeth these days, and it’s not just the professionals. Yet, if you look at people rushing about their daily business, not so many seem to be sporting braces on their teeth. What is happening? How is everyone getting straighter teeth and yet not wearing braces? Are they having it done magically? Almost. It’s Invisalign, one of the first commercial products to come out of 3D printing.

The brand name Invisalign sums up what this treatment is all about — invisible alignment. Rather than the traditional fixed bracket and wire braces that pull teeth into alignment, Invisalign’s inventor decided to use mouth guard-like aligners that deliberately don’t quite fit right to push the teeth into their correct positions.

Invisalign treatment begins with a consultation to see if this system can correct your alignment issues. If it can, we use a hand-held digital scanner to take detailed measurements of your teeth and jaws. These go into a programme that then makes a little animation to show how your teeth need to move to be brought into alignment.

You can actually see how your smile will look at the end of treatment, which is a great incentive. If you decide to go ahead with treatment, we send all the information off to the Invisalign laboratory in the US, where your series of aligners are 3D printed. Each one is a step along an incremental journey to alignment, and you need to wear it for about 7–10 days before moving onto the next one.

At 0.3 millimetres thick, these clear plastic straighteners are so thin that, once they are snapped on over the teeth, they are almost impossible to spot. Plus, as they can be removed for eating and teeth cleaning, you get to carry on with life as normal throughout treatment.

You do need to be disciplined about wearing your aligners for at least 20 hours a day if they are to do their job effectively.

Having crooked teeth comes with lots of problems. Having straighter teeth doesn’t just make your smile look better, but it’s easier to clean your teeth when they are straight, as there are fewer places that plaque can hide away. Straight teeth tend to last longer.

Here at Old Windsor Dental Practice in Berkshire, Invisalign treatment is being recommended to straighten adult patients’ teeth. In the past, if you wanted to straighten your teeth, the only option viable option would be traditional braces.

Traditional braces can get you great results, but there are downsides to this form of treatment.

Appearance

In short: Invisalign looks better than traditional braces. Many people associate traditional braces with teenage years. Conspicuous metal wires and brackets often catch food and can get stuck. This simply doesn’t happen with Invisalign treatments.

When the patient is using Invisalign treatment, it looks as though they aren’t undergoing any treatment at all.

Comfort

When a patient chooses fixed braces, they can’t be removed without a professional’s help. At times, they can become uncomfortable.

When the dentist adjusts the patient’s braces by tightening the wires on the braces, the patient can experience pain. This is sometimes such that painkillers need to be prescribed.

Invisalign doesn’t have this problem as the aligners can be removed by the user whenever they choose.

This makes meal times much easier and more comfortable for the user.

Also, traditional braces are made from materials that can damage the gums, tongue and cheeks of the patient. This can be painful and uncomfortable for the patient. Clear aligners are made of smooth plastic that is much more comfortable to wear.

Cleaning

Because traditional braces cover most of the tooth, it can be much more difficult to keep them clean, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Invisalign trays can be removed when it comes to cleaning.

Treatment time

Traditional braces, on average, take between 18 months and three years to straighten your teeth. Invisalign takes between 12 and 18 months. Invisalign’s treatment is also fully planned beforehand, so you know exactly what to expect when the treatment is complete.

There has been a huge increase in demand for alternative teeth straightening treatment in recent years. Because of this surge in demand, more and more treatments are available at your local dental practice.

Here at Old Windsor Dental Practice in Berkshire, Invisalign is a clear alternative to braces. Traditional braces are the most tried and tested method of teeth straightening, but come with many downsides that could put people off.

Traditional vs. alternatives

Traditional braces can achieve dramatic results when it comes to teeth straightening. In the past, they were your only real option if you wanted perfectly straight teeth.

Although traditional fixed appliances can achieve great results, treatment can be uncomfortable and take a long time. Average treatment time for fixed braces is anywhere between 18 months and three years.

The wires and brackets used in traditional braces can scratch and damage the inside of the mouth, and adjustments can be painful, sometimes to the point of painkillers being prescribed.

Another issue that adults may have with traditional braces is the visual aspect. Being associated with teenagers, some adults consider braces to be embarrassing and so avoid treatment.

Invisalign treatment

Invisalign is a more modern treatment that involves wearing custom-moulded tooth trays. At the start of your treatment, a full treatment plan will be put together, detailing how your teeth will move. At this stage, the tooth trays are made for the whole course of treatment.

Changing the tooth trays every 7-10 days is down to you and is done at home. You’ll need to return to the dentist to check how your teeth are moving.

One of the biggest advantages of Invisalign treatment is that the treatment is almost completely invisible. This is possible because the tooth trays are made from a strong, clear plastic. Most people won’t be able to tell you’re having treatment.

Another advantage of Invisalign is that the tooth trays are removable, making them much more practical. When it comes to mealtimes, you simply take the aligners out. It’s also much easier and simpler to keep your teeth clean, sticking to your normal oral hygiene routine.

When it comes to teeth straightening, some adults can be very self-conscious about the decision to undergo treatment, and can be worried that they are starting too late or that their smile will look unattractive and unprofessional.

Luckily, modern dentistry has come a long way and teeth straightening for adults has expanded significantly. You can now take advantage of many discreet teeth straightening treatments that will help you align your teeth and correct your bite without anyone noticing. At Old Windsor in Berkshire, we offer Invisalign invisible braces to make you feel confident about your smile, even during treatment.

Tell me more about Invisalign

Invisalign consists of clear, removable, custom-made, plastic aligners. Unlike metal braces, Invisalign uses a series of these aligners to help move your teeth. With the aid of a 3D animation, you will be able to see each step of the treatment.

Invisalign aligners should be taken out for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing, but should be worn least 22 hours per day for effective treatment. Treatment with Invisalign does not require frequent visits to the dentist. You will only need to visit your dentist every six weeks or so to check that your teeth are getting straightened as planned. Your aligners should be replaced with the next one in the series every two weeks on average. The overall course of treatment rarely exceeds 24 months, though most people have their teeth straightened within a year.

Advantages of Invisalign invisible braces

Invisalign aligners are transparent, therefore, most people won’t even notice them. Perhaps more importantly, they are removable, so you can still enjoy your favourite foods and clean your teeth as you would do normally. Finally, Invisalign aligners are very comfortable since they are made of smooth plastic that doesn’t cause any irritation to your teeth and gums.

Am I eligible for Invisalign?

Invisalign appeals to many patients since it works very well to treat mild teeth straightening cases. If you are an adult and you have the discipline to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day, then you are probably a good candidate for Invisalign.

A healthy, good-looking, natural smile is not just something for the lucky few, but something everyone can enjoy. Are you living your life with twisted or wonky teeth? Do you avoid a beaming smile on photos or shy away from the camera?

Well, it may seem like an impossible dream, but living your life with a straight smile is much more achievable than you might think. Advances in dentistry have meant everyone now has access to ways to straighten their teeth that will accommodate their lifestyle.

Fixed appliances

A fixed appliance is a dental appliance which can only be removed by a dentist. Dental appliances are used to move the teeth to correct situations in which the teeth are not aligned properly in the mouth.

A fixed dental appliance can sometimes be worn primarily for cosmetic reasons, to straighten teeth which look unsightly, or it may be important for medical reasons.

The classic example of a fixed appliance is metal braces, which consist of a set of brackets on the teeth connected with a wire known as an ‘arch wire’. Metal braces work by putting force on the teeth to pull them into line, and may be worn for between one to three years. There are other types of fixed appliances which can be used as well, including options using tooth-coloured wires, for a less obvious teeth straightening process.

Dental appliances are prescribed and installed by an orthodontist. An orthodontist is a dental professional who specialises in correcting misaligned teeth. It is always a good idea to look thoroughly for a reputable orthodontist, such as those at Old Windsor in Berkshire.

Invisalign

If a subtler approach is required for straighter teeth, then Invisalign could be a good alternative option to traditional fixed appliances. Rather than employing wires and brackets, Invisalign uses aligners. These aligners push your teeth into their desired location.

Aligners are both clear and removable, as well as making it easier to keep a good level of oral hygiene. Invisalign is designed to tackle less serious teeth straightening needs, such as correcting the teeth seen when you smile, known as the ‘social six’.

We all want perfect looking teeth, but for various reasons you may not feel comfortable with your smile. Crooked teeth can impact on your psychology, creating damaging and long-lasting effects. However, not many adults seek treatment for misaligned teeth, since as it turns out they are afraid or feel self-conscious about having metal braces.

Even though traditional braces can guarantee a beautiful smile, they can also offer irritation, pain, discomfort, limitations on your diet, high maintenance as well as an aesthetically unpleasant look. If you seek teeth straightening in Berkshire, Invisalign is the best alternative to traditional braces.

Invisalign is discreet and comfortable

Unlike metal braces, Invisalign consists of clear plastic removable trays that gradually straighten the teeth without putting as much pressure on your mouth or being as noticeable. At the Old Windsor Dental practice in Berkshire, Invisalign aligners are shaped individually to fit your teeth perfectly and offer maximum comfort.

An increasing number of patients opt for Invisalign in Berkshire since traditional braces can be painful or difficult to maintain. Invisalign treatment does not include metal brackets or wires and does not require regular tightening as traditional braces do. However, bear in mind that although Invisalign can effectively correct a range of dental issues, it may not be the appropriate treatment for complex cases of misaligned or crooked teeth. Our dental team at Old Windsor Dental practice has experience working with Invisalign in Berkshire and will evaluate your specific case in order to determine the best treatment available.

Invisalign is safe for teenagers

Invisalign cannot be used as a treatment for children since it requires a set of fully grown teeth to ensure maximum effectiveness. However, it is safe and appropriate for teens who are self-conscious about metal braces. At Old Windsor Dental practice in Berkshire, Invisalign trays can be customised for teens who wish to improve their smile without the hassle of metal braces.

Living with Invisalign

While you may find that with other teeth straightening treatments, simple everyday activities can become troublesome; Invisalign aligners are easily removable for you to eat, brush and floss your teeth normally.

Are you having self-esteem issues because you feel self-conscious about your teeth? Many people are concerned about the appearance of their smile and are worried that other people will notice their crooked teeth. If you wish to improve your smile but are not interested in getting metal braces, talk to us about Invisalign in Berkshire. At the Old Windsor Dental Practice, we believe it is never too late to improve your smile.

How Invisalign works

Invisalign aligners offer a whole new way to straightening your teeth in the most discreet way possible. This is particularly true for those adults who missed out on teeth straightening when they were younger and wish to fix their smile without having to walk around with traditional metal braces. In Berkshire, Invisalign aligners are made of smooth, clear medical grade plastic that you wear over your teeth to gently adjust their position in your mouth. Invisalign aligner trays are produced in highly controlled, high-tech medical manufacturing facilities that employlaser technology to shape and carve out each custom tray with special care.

When your trays are ready, you will be given a series of aligners and instructions for their use and care. Typically, the aligners should be changed every two to three weeks followed by a visit to your dentist. At the Old Windsor Dental Practice in Berkshire, Invisalign treatment is supported by 3D animated computer technology that will follow your treatment at every stage.Each course of Invisalign treatment is personalised in order to reflect your individual needs and fit your teeth perfectly.

If you choose Invisalign in Berkshire, you will soon discover the minimal impact it will have on your everyday activities. The aligners can be removed easily, therefore you can eat, brush and floss your teeth as you normally would. If you are active in contact sports, Invisalign allows you to enjoy your time without having to worry about injuries. Finally, your bedtime routine can continue normally with the special addition of cleaning your aligners with the Invisalign cleaning kit or lukewarm water.

For further questions on Invisalign in Berkshire, contact the Old Windsor Dental Practice today.